Synthesis of a highly dense and selective imprinted polymer via pre-irradiated surface-initiated graft polymerization

Abstract

A new surface ion-imprinted polymer for the selective sorption of U(VI) was prepared by pre-irradiated surface-initiated graft polymerization in the presence of the U(VI)–methacrylic acid complex. Pre-irradiation in air is a green, convenient, effective and low-cost approach for immobilization of peroxides and hydroperoxides as initiators on the surface. Moreover, U(VI) can promote the decomposition of peroxides and hydroperoxides to the oxy radicals to induce graft polymerization. The adsorption behavior of U(VI) onto the imprinted polymer was investigated as functions of pH, contact time, temperature and initial U(VI) concentration by batch experiments. The selectivity study revealed that the U(VI)-imprinted polymer exhibited excellent selectivity and good affinity to U(VI) in the presence of competitive metal ions.